Private Jet, No Passport Stamp: Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo Accused of Smuggling Lover Into Nigeria—Luxury, Loopholes, and Lavish Spending Uncovered

According to Sahara Reporters, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is at the centre of a growing scandal involving the covert relocation of his American lover, her mother, and several companions into Nigeria—without immigration clearance, using state resources, and bypassing standard aviation protocols. The revelations, sourced from exclusive interviews with the woman involved and a senior aide to the minister, paint a disturbing picture of how influence, public funds, and diplomatic loopholes were allegedly used to transport and pamper a private entourage under the radar.

Zainab, a multilingual American translator of Yemeni and Congolese-Ugandan descent, first encountered Keyamo at a United Nations event in New York on September 21, 2023. What began as a chance photo opportunity, arranged by Keyamo’s aide, quickly evolved into frequent communication—and, according to Zainab, a romantic relationship. Within days, the minister visited her family’s New York residence, where he offered to relocate her entire household to Nigeria to “manage his properties.” He reportedly promised employment for her cousin and assured them that all logistics would be taken care of.

There was a problem: Zainab’s mother did not have a Nigerian visa. But that didn’t slow things down. Zainab claims that Keyamo insisted they use an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) rather than wait for formal documentation. On November 13, 2023, the group—including Zainab, her mother, and several companions—boarded Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET513 from New York, travelling through Addis Ababa to Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport in business class. Their travel arrangements, including seating and stopovers, were reportedly planned by Keyamo himself.

Their stay in Uganda, which lasted until December 22, was nothing short of extravagant. Zainab detailed how they were lodged at premium hotels like Imperial Mall Residence and Mbale Resort Hotel, with rooms costing up to $400 per night. A convoy of vans, bouncers, domestic staff, and security personnel—hired locally—ensured they were treated like VIPs. A senior aide to Keyamo confirmed to Sahara Reporters that all costs, including hotel bills, transport, and staff wages, were covered by funds allegedly drawn from the Ministry of Aviation’s budget—not the minister’s personal account.

When it was time to travel to Nigeria, Keyamo reportedly arranged a private jet owned by a prominent Nigerian businessman. On December 22, Zainab and three others—Balinda Ndagire J. Hislaire, Nsubuga Douglas, and Rambo Prinston Hakim—were flown directly from Kampala to Abuja. But this wasn’t a typical arrival. The aircraft landed at the presidential wing of Abuja airport. There were no immigration checks, no passport stamps, no security screenings. Everything, Zainab claims, was “cleared” before they landed.

Upon arrival, they were welcomed into a fully furnished home in Abuja, complete with new appliances, a generator, and other household items. Zainab says all expenses, including supplies and setup, were also covered by the ministry. Even a housemaid back in New York reportedly received money from Keyamo to assist the family prior to their relocation.

Zainab admitted that they overstayed their one-month visa allowance, but claims she was consistently reassured by Keyamo. “He always told me not to worry. He said he worked in aviation and everything would be sorted.”

When approached by Sahara Reporters, Keyamo denied any wrongdoing and dismissed Zainab as a blackmailer. He claimed she was a friend of his sister and that the alleged relationship was fabricated. His sister, Ruth, echoed that sentiment, insisting the trip was legal and privately funded by family and friends for the purpose of medical treatment. However, she failed to provide evidence of the mysterious friend named Rosemary, through whom she claimed to have met Zainab, saying Rosemary had died. Ruth also denied knowing about any romantic connection between Zainab and the minister.

Zainab rejected that account, maintaining she only met Ruth in Nigeria after the relocation. “I can only imagine what they’re trying so hard to cover up,” she said. “Who is Rosemary? Why is there no photo of her? How could I have met Keyamo’s sister if this was my first time in Nigeria?”

So far, the Nigeria Immigration Service has not responded to enquiries regarding the bypassing of immigration protocols in the case. As the scandal unfolds, questions continue to swirl around abuse of office, public fund misappropriation, and the influence of high-level officials in sidestepping laws meant for ordinary citizens.